Internalized transphobia and well-being: The moderating role of attachment

Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people experience poorer well-being compared to the general population, and internalized transphobia is a well-established risk factor. Less is known about potential individual difference factors that may buffer these effects. This study examined whether individual differences in attachment moderated the association between internalized transphobia and low life satisfaction in a sample of 101 TGD adults. Internalized transphobia was associated with low life satisfaction, though this association was moderated by attachment anxiety. Specifically, internalized transphobia was associated with low life satisfaction, but only for those higher in attachment anxiety; internalized transphobia did not predict life satisfaction for those low in attachment anxiety. Attachment avoidance predicted lower life satisfaction, but did not moderate the association between internalized transphobia and life satisfaction. Future research is needed to examine methods by which attachment security may be enhanced to buffer the effects of internalized transphobia.